Preventing Alzheimer's

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 26 APR 2004

The concept of "prevention through delay" as presented by Shankle, a neurologist, and Amen, a psychiatrist, is a proactive approach to thwarting dementia. They break this process down into three components that involve knowing and reducing those risk factors you can control; having a regular memory screening to detect problems early; and obtaining an accurate, early diagnosis and treatment. The authors include their Shankle-Amen Early Dementia Detection Questionnaire as a screening tool to assess risk factors, and follow with discussions on ways to reduce risks and take steps for prevention. Useful tables abound, providing a synopsis of environmental, acquired and modifiable risks for dementia; as well as a review of effective prevention agents. The chapter devoted to finding the right diagnosis offers practical advice on how to get a thorough assessment and drives home the importance of this step by telling readers that 95% of persons with dementia are diagnosed by their primary care doctor four or more years after symptoms first appeared. The authors go on to offer an in-depth approach for patients to work with their doctor to make reversing memory loss "a reality." Although there is plenty of information on treating early dementia, much of it may be too technical for lay readers, and the accompanying photos (showing the brain before and after treatments) do little to elucidate treatment and prevention options. However, an excellent section on resources for caregivers and their families, as well as the aforementioned tables, are extremely helpful.